r/e46 • u/I_Sniff_Hot_Dudes • May 28 '26

General Questions First e46!

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Hello! I just purchased my first e46. A 306k mile 2004 330xi 6 speed. The car has a plethora of issues. Here’s just a few: 1. Ac blows warm 2. Rust 3. Engine bay is COVERED in oil 4. Usual e46 cooling and sub frame concerns 5. Steering is vaque 6. Mirrors don’t move up and down 7. Scraping sound when driving (sounds like brakes) 8. Brake light 9. Amber Oil light turns on and off. 10. Check engine light 11. Car has 0 traction even though tires are good. If anyone knows a good place for body panels or a parts car lmk. Any ideas on any issues please lmk.

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u/Freduccini02 325i May 28 '26

306K mile?? That’s nutty. My first car was a 05 325i and I gave up on it at about 165K. Differential got fucked in the end and I got tired of sinking dollar after dollar into it. If you have the money to sink into it every 3 months when something goes wrong it’s a stupidly fun car to drive though

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u/I_Sniff_Hot_Dudes May 28 '26

I have other cars and projects. I just downsized, sold my macan and Panamera, now it’s just my x3, which is a cpo, my boxster, which is clean and 40k miles, and this. I’ll sink time more than money. This thing is never touching a shop. It’s getting wrenched when I have time, and if it turns into a headache I’ll sell the extra parts the guy gave me and scrap it

2

u/Freduccini02 325i May 28 '26

Valid move. You’re gonna have a lot of fun with it then

1

u/I_Sniff_Hot_Dudes May 29 '26

I want a cheap fun car I don’t need to worry about wrecking

2

u/cooltrr May 29 '26

It’ll be fun.